Jesse Lingard: Man Utd would prefer it if Neymar was fit for PSG clash

EXCLUSIVE – Manchester United forward Jesse Lingard says he would prefer to ‘test himself against the best’ rather than face an injury-hit Paris Saint-Germain side.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s men host their Ligue 1 rivals in the Champions League last-16 on Tuesday evening, but the visitors are set to be without several key players.

Neymar is sidelined with a metatarsal injury, while there are also question marks over the fitness of Edinson Cavani, Thomas Meunier and Marco Verratti.

The lack of options at Thomas Tuchel’s disposal – plus United’s excellent recent form – has seen the Red Devils installed as favourites to progress, but Lingard is certainly not celebrating his opponents’ problems.

When asked whether he would prefer it if Neymar was not injured, Lingard told Squawka: “I think you want to test yourself against the best.

“You want to play in the big games and a home game against PSG – you can’t get any bigger than that – we’re going to be ready.”

Lingard is expected to start the game at Old Trafford, having been rested for the weekend’s victory over Fulham, with United set to be at full strength as they compete for a place in the quarter-finals.

United have won the prestigious tournament on two occasions but have failed to progress to the last eight since 2014.

Although a potential route to the latter stages could open up if United beat Les Parisiens, Lingard is wary of getting too carried away despite his belief that United are capable of lifting the trophy this season.

“As a team we like to take every game as it comes,” the 26-year-old added.

“We’d rather concentrate on the next game and get that done and move on from that – we don’t want to look too far ahead at the moment.”